ictchris

--------------Esson--------------- ---McCann--Tokely--Munro--Gillet-- ----------Duncan---Cox------------ -----Hayes----Odhiambo---Ross----- --------------Rooney-------------- I don't think any of the other options we have are better than the XI who started against Celtic. I have put TOkely in this because I've not seen him listed as out anywhere. If he is then presumably Proctor will slip into his position, which makes us far less solid. I don't really think Ross did much against Celtic, he clearly wasn't our best player either. He was OK though and deserves to keep his place, at least until Foran is back.

Chris Coleman, he's had a good managerial career.

I agree with CaleyStan. A twenty team league would consist of the current SPL plus Falkirk, Dundee, Pars, Queens, COunty, Partick, Raith and Morton. TV isn't interested in most of the SPL teams at the moment there is not a chance in the proverbial that a game betwen, say, Raith and St MIrren or us and Partick would be an attraction for anything. The point about ramshackle stadiums is also a good one - I can just picture the eye-rolling and head slapping from ESPN and Setanta execs everytime they showed one of the Old Firm play at Accies or Falkirk and were faced with a camera covered in rain, shots of grassy slopes and half empty stands. It doesn't look good - at least our three stand job looks OK on telly and has a nice view. I think that the SPL could just introduce a play-off between the 11th SPL side and the runners up inthe SFL. That would be a good step and would liven up the bottom of the table.

Yes, he's a decent manager but the way he's bummed up in the press (linked with Man Utd and England) he isn't as good as all that. I see Villa signed Stephen Ireland today as part of the Milner deal - strange, what happens if the new Villa boss doesn't want him?

Playing a targetman wide in midfield is a good tactic - this Sutherland lad is quite good in the air isn't he? Perhaps Butcher sees him slipping into Foran's role.

Villa's wage bill is massive - ?71m or 85% of turnover (Link. MON resigned because the club wanted to recoup some money by selling Milner and, possibly, Young. Given the money he's spent not to even properly challange for a Champions League spot is poor. O'Neill was successful early days at Wycombe and Leicester but plenty of managers do well with lower league clubs without being considered the new Clough or Ferguson, as O'Neill is often talked about. As for his record as Villa boss, he's certainly done a better job compared to total duds like David O'Leary or Graham Taylor (in his second spell) but he was about on a par with John Gregory and Brian Little (Little even won a trophy). Of course, Gregory had other 'issues' which meanhe won't really be remembered fondly.

The Keg opens at nine and is just round the corner from HoHo hostel, a salubrious city centre boutique hotel.

We'll really miss his leadership and physical prowess now. These are aspects that are vital when facing the Old Firm, or playing in any big game. If we stick with 4-2-3-1 then we could line up something like this: -----------------Esson------------------- --McCann----Tokely-----Munro-----Gillet-- --------Duncan--------Cox---------------- ----Ross-----Odhiambo------Blumstein------ --------------Rooney--------------------- that's a little light in the '3' to me. Perhpas Hayes will swap in for Ross and Sanchez for either Odhiambo or Blumstein. That still leaves us a little easily brushed off in that area, which could mean that we struggle to keep the ball in offensive areas, can't get it up to Rooney and face pressure on our defence. It's always good to have someone good in the air in an offensive position as well to hit with set pieces, goal kicks, cross field balls as an option to keep the pressure off. We don't really have that option without Foran.

When you consider how much money he spent the fact that Villa haven't got into the Champions League is a big disappointment. Only Manchester City have spent more money in the last few seasons than Villa. Here is an interesting link on net spend and position for Premiership clubs. Celtic also spent heavily when he was there - Strachan won as many titles in less time with fewer resources. Gabriel Marcotti has a good article on MON here.

He doesn't playin the SPL. I agree with Bougherra, he's a fantastic player.

Hiya CaleyD! *waves to CaleyD*

I think it's overly optimistic to look at getting into the top six this season. Not all players who did a job in the First will be able to maintain that form in the SPL, as we saw last time we got promoted. The most important thing to our success is if Adam Rooney continues his form - I think he will score more goals than he did in 2008/09 but we can't rely on him for 20+ goals. We need guys like FOran, Hayes etc to chip in as well and that might be easier said than done. We also shouldn't underestimate some of the other bottom six teams - Accies had a great season last time out as did St Johnstone. Personally, I will be happy if we stay up and are clear from relegation, in the manner of our first three seasons in the SPL last time out.

Darren Dods.

ANyone know when/if the tickets are going on the eticketing site?

For a winger (well wide midfielder) he had zero pace and rarely went past anyone. He used the ball fairly well, didn't give it away much but he never really created anything going forward. He did seem to improve a bit in the latter stages of the season - the derby game up in Dingwall, he came on and played very well, hitting the post. I clapped his back when we all invaded the pitch after winning the league.

Paul Sheerin has scored for Arbroath, he's player-manager there I think.

Heston Blumental will be producing them. The new menu is a snail and porridge pie, compote of crows breast and nuclear distilled yoghurt in a bridie and Bovril reduced to a steam.

The website said that tickets went on sale 24th July.

I've probably missed something but has this game sold out? Logged into eticketing site to book tickets today but there were no matches available. What's the story? Anyone?

Last time I was in G's or Love2Love I got escorted out by the bouncers. Me and Jonny Hayes - peas in a pod.

Celtic Rangers Dundee United Hibs Hearts Motherwell St Johnstone Aberdeen Hamilton Accies Caley Kilmarnock St Mirren I think Aberdeen could end up lower - it's difficult to make predictions when you don't know how the signings will pan out. Celtic are losing 1-0 to Braga. Charlie Mulgrew is starting

Agree with the relatively postive posts above. We currently only have Tokely and Munro as options in the middle and Tokely has played the vast majority of his career as a right back. Innes is an experienced option who hasn't done pretty well at St Mirren.

I am a little wary of our lack of defensive cover and of the lack of experience in the players we are looking at taking in to stiffen us up at the back. I am confident that we will be strong going forward - Rooney has the ability to score in the SPL and Hayes and Foran will do well also.

How many of these wonderkids turn out to be good first team players? You need something more than skill to make it as a pro - guys like Cox and Hayes have a dig and pace and desire.

Who is Steven MacKay?